Thursday, April 14, 2011
Article: Faculty Perspectives
This article just made me think about how I was in a meeting recently about moving from Performance Pathways to another data management program. We sat at the table talking about the advantages and disadvantages of one program over another. Both programs did pretty much the same thing, just as Blackboard and Moodle, but the differences were about the details. I think that the issues can be debated over and over again, but when it comes down to it Moodle is free. That can give the smaller institutions a way to stay on the cutting edge of technology. As a classroom teacher, I can see using this with no problem. I can understand both perspectives, but as far as I am concerned Moodle can do what you need it to do.
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Well, free is a relative term. You'd still need server hardware and support to run Moodle on an organizational level, but that is peanuts compared to Blackboard. The primary difference is the standard difference you always run into with open source solutions. Unless there are professional (and costly) support options, you are on your own. If you need features, have issues, or if things break down, it will be up to your own staff expertise to work through it. For some organizations, that would be a significant obstacle.
ReplyDeleteI never thought of that. I just assume that most public schools should have enough software to support Moodle. I am also assuming that they considered using Blackboard as well, therefore, they would have the necessary support in place.
ReplyDeleteI think that both programs are good, it all depends on how the instructor utilizes the features that are available. Putting cost aside, if a teacher can successful design, organize and instruct from either program, than that teacher is successful in achieving the ultimate goal: teaching!
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